Schools share cash windfall

SCHOOLS across Droitwich are set to benefit from a share of a £4million boost in funding.

The Government has increased the money given to schools for disadvantaged pupils from £600 to £900 from April.

In total the pupil premium will be worth over £12.5million to Worcestershire’s schools - an increase of about £4.2million.

According to figures from the Department of Education, 668 schoolchildren in Droitwich are eligible for the pupil premium, worth more than £600,000.

Estimates show Droitwich Spa High School would receive £193,500, more than any other town school while Westlands First School and Westacre Middle School look set to gain £113,400 and £91,800 respectively.

The final amount each school will receive will not be known until later in the year.

Coun Jane Potter, responsible for education and skills on Worcestershire County Council, said the money was welcome but

would not hide the fact the county’s schools were among the worst funded in the country.

Worcestershire’s schools receive £1,088 per pupil less than those in Birmingham and £482 less than the national average.

“This will provide extra funding for those schools with pupils from deprived backgrounds and will be used to narrow the attainment gap between these pupils and those from more affluent families,” she said.

“However it should be recognised despite this good news Worcestershire still receives comparatively low funding levels compared to its neighbouring counties and we will continue to lobby for more funding for schools in Worcestershire.”